Gov. Hogan Submits Emergency Legislation

Maryland’s General Assembly kicked off Wednesday and Gov. Larry Hogan has introduced what his administration calls “emergency legislation.”

The bills would provide paid leave benefits to residents, combat violence across the state, and ensure accountability schools.

“For three years in a row, we have remained committed to engaging our colleagues on both sides of the aisle in thoughtful debate about issues that matter the most to our citizens,” Hogan said in a statement. “Today, we have submitted several emergency pieces of legislation we believe deserve swift and immediate action. We look forward to continuing to find common sense, bipartisan solutions to the serious problems that face us over the next 90 days.”

Here’s a breakdown of the legislation Hogan introduced Wednesday.

The Paid Leave Compromise Act of 2018

• If passed, would provide paid leave benefits to Marylanders.  Under the Paid Leave Compromise Act of 2018, businesses with 25 or more employees will be required to offer paid leave to their employees by the year 2020. To give businesses time to prepare, the benefits will be phased in, starting in 2018 for businesses with 50 or more employees, in 2019 for businesses with 40 or more employees, and extending to all applicable businesses in 2020.

The Accountability for Violent Criminals Act of 2018

• Would require second-time violent criminals to serve their full sentence and make them ineligible for parole.

Crimes – Firearms – Penalties

• This bill responds to the problem of repeat violent gun offenders. If passed, the minimum sentence of five years would increase to ten years for repeat offenders who use firearms to commit felonies and violent crimes.
• The bill will require that the time be served consecutively to any other sentence and includes additional penalties for individuals convicted of using a firearm in relation to drug trafficking if they are later found to illegally possess a firearm.

Crimes – Gangs – Penalties

• This bill would expand the list of gang-related crimes that can be prosecuted across jurisdictional lines.

Protect Our Students Act of 2018

• Would require that academic performance be counted as 80 percent of a school’s composite score.

It was great to welcome legislators and their staff back to the State House today – happy first day of the 2018 Legislative Session! pic.twitter.com/fcPj0PlC7c

— Larry Hogan (@LarryHogan) January 10, 2018

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